Behind the scenes

Although the book states that the snake is conjured (brought forth into existence from nothingness), the Harry Potter Official Website states, when a user attempts to cast the spell at the farthest edges of the room, that:"It appears the snake did not hear you. Try to cast your spell in the centre of the room", suggesting that the serpent is brought forth from elsewhere.

Etymology

Serpens is Latin for "serpent"; ortus is the past participle of the Latin verb oriri "to be created".[5]